“Spanish Caravan, Liverpool” — A beer ad on a wall in the Liverpool Ropewalks district.
This scene was on a corner near the place we stayed in the Ropewalks district of Liverpool this spring. We had gone out for a long walk and run into a bit of rain, perhaps obvious from the wet street and sidewalk. I think that the large figure on the wall is meant to look like a guy who is happy with his beer. But I think there is also something just a bit ominous about that unnatural grin on a figure towering above the street and peeking out between buildings.
“FRESH” — A person walks past a Dublin wall with painted flames and a “FRESH” sign in the Temple Bar district.
I have seen Dublin’s Temple Bar district described in various ways: historic, touristy, not a place to go at night, nightlife hub. From what I could gather on our brief visit this past May, any or all of those might be correct, though I saw no real evidence of it being dangerous. Mostly it felt like one of those typical big city tourist areas, center in an older district with “character,” and gradually being invaded by chain restaurants and shops. But there are still some fun rough edges.
“Netherkirkgate” — Aman on a ladder in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Our recent travels to the British Isles began (aside from a very brief stopover in London) with a lengthy visit to Skye and the northwest of Scotland. After that first adventure we returned to Inverness and took a train to Aberdeen for a few days. After more than a week in the wild open spaces of northwest Scotland, returning to this urban setting was quite a contrast!
“Posters, LIverpool” — A wall covered with posters in the Ropewalks district, Liverpool.
Every city has a unique character — though my perceptions can be affected by which parts of a city I visit, what I do there, and even the season. When we spent a few days in Liverpool recently, it was almost always gray and often wet, and our lodgings were in a section of the city that is vibrant and alive, though with some rough edges.
